Adhesive tape applier



June 6, 1950 L. H. MORIN ADHESIVE TAPE APPLIER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26. 1945 INVENTOR 100/6 6. Alon/ll ATTOZNEY June 6, 1950 L. H. MORIN 2,510,131

'. ADHESIVE TAPE APPLIER Filed June 26. 1945 a Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Lou/s f/JVOR/A/ Ju 1950 L. H. MORIN 2,510,131 ADHESIVE TAPE APPLIER Filed June 26. 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 K. I'NVENTO R Laws/1. NOR/xv Patented June 6, 1950 i ADHESIVE TAPE ,APPLIER Louis B. Morin, N'ew York, N. Y., assignor to Industrial Tape- Corporation, a corporation of New J crscy g Application J one 26,

. 12 Claims;

' This invention relates to a tape dispensing and I r applying device of-the character wherein a strip of pressuresensitive adhesive tape is applied to the corner of a box or package to effect a seal.

- Suchcorner sealing devices consist, usually, of

to be sealed and an applying means in the form '(o1. zie-ssru .a supporting platform for the packageor box J of a roller presented by an arm which-extends through the package-supporting platform 'together with means'ior positioning apiece of tape in advance of the applying roller. The applying roller, as the package is advanced against it, applies the tape first to one face of the box and then to the adjacent face of the box as the roller is;

depressed to permit'the boxto override it.

In the corner sealing dev'icesof the prior art,

a. severed length of tape is presented in position for application to theboxto be sealed and, as the box is advanced against the tape to complete the sealing operation, other mechanism operates to 'present a second severed-length of tape in op-' erative position for the next sealing operation.

Such machines are quite complicated and expensive to manufacture.

The improved machine is of vastly simpler Fig. 7' is a fragmentary'viewsimilar to Fig. 6, V

but showing the tape-severing means' in tracted or inoperative position;

Fig. 8 is a partial vertical longitudinal. section its re through the machine showingthe parts after the box has been partially sealed and just prior to v the time the used tape'issevered from the roll;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of the tape-applying roller in a position just prior to the operation of the tape-- .severlng means.

- Fig. 10 is a view ering operation, but prior to the return of the tape-applying-roller to its normal position;

Fig. 11 isav side elevation of aidifierent modification of a tape dispensing and applying device equipped" with the present improvements;

and v Fig. 12 is'a 'plan' view of the device shown in Fig. 11. 1 5

The improved tape dispensing and applying 7 device comprises a housing III at one end of the construction. There is no complicated mechanism for causing the adhesive tape to be advanced through the machine to the place where it is presented in operative position for the sealing operation. On the contrary, the tape is pulled through the machine by the package which is being sealed. The tape is severed after it has been applied to the box, the severing and applying means functioning in such a way that the new end of the tape, 1. e., the forward end ofthe tape remaining in the machine is located in a position ready for the next sealing operation Many other advantages of the improved machine, will be apparent as thedescription of .the inven-' tion proceeds.

Referring to the drawings,

machine'for the operating mechanism and a pair of vertical parallel standards It at 'the opposite end of the machineto support a roll l2 of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (Figs.-f1'and 2). The

standards rise from a base It and are spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate a drum I l whose width is suificient to accommodate the size of tape tobe used in the sealing operation. The

standards I l are formed in their innerfaces with a pair of opposed inclined slots 15 open at the Fig. '1 is a plan view of a tape dispensing and applying'device equipped with the present improvements; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; j

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section, on line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is avertical transverse section on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged end elevation of the tape applying roller;

Fig. 6 is a'vertical section on line 66 of Fig.

tive or tape-:severing position;

top to accommodate the ends of a hub 16 with which the tape supporting drum II is equipped at the center, and. closed at the bottom to support the sub and consequently the drum so that the roll of tape is free to rotate as the tape is unwound during the tape dispensing operation.

The housing ID at the end adjacent the supply roll, is closed by a vertical wall I! rising fromv the base l3, although this wall is split 'verticallyat the center so as not to interfere with the tape as it threads through the machine. The remainder of the housing is defined by side walls l8 and an end wall 19 rising from the base l3 to form the lower half of the housing and a top plate 20 having side walls It and an end wall 22 depending from the top plat to form the upper half of the housing in conjunction with the upper half of the wall I! (Figs. 2, 3 and 4).

- The top plate 20,, the side and end walls 2| and j 5, showing the tape-severing means in its opera- 22 constitute a cover plate which is pivotally mounted at the ends of a transverse shaft 2} supported in a bracket 24 fixed on the base l3. Its

. similar to Fig. 9, showing the parts just after the completion of the tape-sew 4 normal or closed position is determined by a pair 8 of lugs 25 protruding inwardly from the opposite lower side walls of the housing and against which the opposite side walls 2| of the cover plate bank at their lower edges. The cover plate is held in its closed position by a spring detent 28 which engages beneath the bottom edge of the end wall 22 to prevent rotation of-the cover plate about its supporting shaft. The spring detent may be withdrawn normally from beneath the edge of the cover plate to permit the latter to swing to the dotted line position shown in Fig.

position, is located somewhat above the top surface thereof. The lever 39 has a hub portion 33 drilled to accommodate the transverse shaft 23 on which it is rotatably mounted. The lever 38 also has a second arm 34 extending downwardly from the hub portion and which banks at its lower end against a 'stop presented by the supporting bracket. A torsion spring 36, en-v circling the shaft'28, and reacting between a' flxed buttress 31 on said. shaft and the lever 80,

urges the lever arm 34 against the stop 85, there by locating the lever and consequentlythe ap-,- plying roller in their normal positions (Figs/ 2 and 3).

, presented by a U-shaped member 41 extending lengthwise of the applying roller and fixed in the flanges thereof (Figs. 6, 7 and 8). The blade is arranged for limited parallel movement in a radial direction and, to this end, is provided, near its opposite ends, with slots 48 disposed at angles of 45 with the axis of the roller. flange 43 and plate 44 are notched as at 49, to

permit the insertion of pins 58 which passthrough the slots in the knife perpendicularly to the latter and which, in conjunction with the slots serve to limit the dgewise radial movement of the knife blade. In the normal position of the knife blade, its serrated edge is located below the peripheral surface of the roller, in whichposition it is held by a leaf spring 5| fastened to the outer flange or the roller and so disposed that its free end, resiliently engages "the knife blade at its adjacent end.

In operation, the box A to be sealed is placed upon the platform presented at the top of the cover plate 20 with one of the surfaces defining the corner to be sealed, facing the adhesive side of the tape which protrudes between the applying roller 28 and the flnger 82 (Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 10). The box is then moved as rapidly as desired against the tape and the applying roller and .along the platform until it is arrested by a cushioning stop 52 flxed. at the opposite end thereof. During the initial movement of the box,

the tape is pressed by the applying roller firmly the tape. I the applying roller is forced downwardly through 35.

The tape, near its free end, is held adjacent the applying roller, with the adhesive surface out, by a small flnger 82 mounted on the lever arm 29. The mounting of the finger 92 is such that the tape may be threaded between the applying roller and the flnger, merely by slipping As previously stated, the

the tape in edgewlse. applying roller 28 is mounted for rotation about its own axis. For this purpose, it is fixed at one end of'a spindle 88 journaled near the end of the arm 29 which is enlarged to give adequate bearing'surface (Figs. 3, and 6).- A concentric flange 89 at the opposite end of the spindle bears against the enlarged portion of the arm 29 to hold the spindle against endwise movement. The applying roller 28 has a normal position relative toits supporting arm (Figs. 2 and 3). This position is-determined by a spring 40 anchored, at

. one end, to a pin 4| protruding. from the flange 99 in a position parallel with but eccentric to the axis of the applying roller and, at its opposite end, in the arm 29.

The construction of the applying roller 28 is best illustrated in Figs. '5, 6 and '7. Itcomprises a hub portion "terminating at one end in a flange 43'and provided at its opposite end with 'a plate 44 similar-in size to the flange and which is slotted asat 45 to 'receivea pair of fingers 45' protruding endwise fromthehubportion to lock the plate .and the hub portionagainst relative rotation. The plate, and consequently the applying roller, are suitably held on the spindle 88 by a screw threaded endwiseinto the latter. The flange 43 and plate 44 hold between them a rubber tire 45 to present increased frictional engagement with the tape; 1

A tape-severing knife 48, consisting of a blade with serratedouter edge, is mounted in a sl t against the face of the box initially presented to As the movement of the box continues,

the aperture 8| in the cover plate allowing the box to ride over it but. since this-action is against the tension of .the spring 88 acting on the rollersupporting lever 29, the roller at all times presses the tape firmly in contact with, the box. This action continues after the used portion of tape,

has been severed from the remainder of the roll in order that the severed end of the used portion is likewise pressed in flrm contact with the box.

The tape severing operation will now be described, When the applying roller 28 is in its normal position as determined by the tension spring 40', the cutting knife 48 is located a subs'tantial distance around the periphery of the roller from the point atwhich the latter is initially engaged by the box (Fig. 2). However,

as the applying roller is rotated against the tension of the small spring 48, by the movement of the box and by the pull of the tape in contact therewith, it arrives at the position shown in Fig. 9, just prior to the end of the tape applying stroke. Continued rotation of the roller beyond this point causes an end portion 58 of the-knife 46, which protrudes for a short'distance beyond the flange 48 of the applying roller, to engage a roller 54 mounted on a pin secured at the end of the lever arm 29 (Figs. '6, '7, 9 and 10). As the knife engages the roller 54 it is cammed endwise against the action of the leaf spring 5i and also edgewis'e outwardly, causing its serrated edge to protrude beyond the surface of the applying roller and perforate the tape.

Simultaneously with the arrival of the knife in the tape cutting position, the eccentric pin 4| on the roller supporting spindle banks against a stop 55 presented bythe supporting bracket 24. Fur-.

ther rotation of the applying roller is thereby halted and, since its downward movement has also been arrested at this time by the engagement of astop 58 on its supporting lever with the underlying bracket, the knife is firmly positioned,

The-

enabling the perforated tape to be completely severed by the continued movement of the box as it approaches the banking stop 52.

Upon completion of the sealing operation, the box is removed from the platform thereby freeing the applying roller which is returned to its normal position by the respective springs acting on the lever arm 29 and the eccentric pin 4|, it being understood that the applying roller will be free to rotate to its normal position as soon as the eccentric pin moves away from the stop. In turning the applying roller to its normal position, the spring 40 pulls the knife blade 46 past the roller 54. As this occurs, the leaf spring 5| restores the knife blade to normal position with its serrated edge below the surface of the applying roller.

Allusion is now made to the construction and function of the roller 21 which is next adjacent the tape supply roll and over which the tape travels as it threads through the machine. It will be observed that there is a substantial portion of tape extending beyond the retaining finger 32 and which is initially applied to the box when the latter is brought into engagement with the tape and pressed against the applying roller. Substantially the same amount of tape extends beyond the finger 32 after the used portionhas been severed. It is desirable that some means be provided to prevent the back drag of the tape from changing this condition as the applying roller is restored to its normal position from that shown in Fig. 10. The roller 21 and its associated mechanism serve this purpose. The roller 21 is mounted for rotation at the upper end of a lever 51 which is pivotally mounted adjacent its center on the supporting brackets 24 (Fig. 2). This lever, at its lower end, is connected by means of a link 58 to the depending arm 34 of the lever 30 which carries the applying roller. There is also mounted on the lever 51 a pivotally mounted pawl 59, spring-pressed into engagement with a toothed ratchet wheel 50 formed integrally with the roller 21. The arrangement is such that as the applying roller moves downwardly during a corner sealing operation, the lever 51, through its connection with the lever 30, is rocked from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 8. This action, however, has no effect upon the feeding of the tape since the pawl and ratchet arrangement 59, 60, is such that, as the roller 27 moves toward the supply roll of tape,

it turns idly with the pawl merely slipping over the teeth of the ratchet wheel. However, as the applying roller is restored to its normal position after a tape sealing operation, the lever 51 is likewise restored. During this movement of the lever 51 the roller 21 is locked by the pawl 59 against its tendency to rotate under the back drag of the tape. The result is that a further portion of the tape is pulled off the supply roll sufiicient in amount to counteract any tendency for the tape to become unthreaded from between the finger and the applying roller during the return of the latter to normal position. The roll 21 is formed with a'series of annular ribs to provide a sumcient amount of adhesion between it and the tacky side of the t to prevent relative slipping without, however, interfering too much with the feed of the tape during a corner sealing operation.

It will thus be seen that the improved machine is one requiring a minimum number of parts and capable, because of its simplicity, of very efllcient Qoperation.

The modification of the invention shown in- Figs. 11 and 12 is. in most respects, substantially the same in principle as that previously described. Thus, it is provided with a supply roll of tape II from which the tape is led over a roller II with the adhesive side in contact therewith, and which is arranged to idle in the direction of tape feed After it leaves the roller II, the tape is threaded between an applying roller I2 and a finger ll to present the end of the tape with its adhesive side outwardly in a position to be engaged by the box to be sealed when the box is pushed against the tape and the applying roller.

In this instance, however, the box-arresting stop I4 is arranged on a vertical wall adjacent the platform which supports the box during the corner sealing operation.

The applying roller is rotatably mounted at the end of one arm of a lever "I5 pivotally mounted adJacent its center and which is urged by spring tension acting upon a second arm, to hold the latter against a stop I6 which locates the applying roller in a position to be engaged by the box to be sealed. The applying roller 12 is also equipped with a knife 11 resiliently maintained in its normal position by a. spring I8 secured at one end to an eccentric pin I9 carried by the roller and which is anchored at its opposite end in the lever I5.

The method of applying the tape to the box is the same as in the modification previously described, namely, the box is pushed against the applying roller, which causes the latter to be moved downwardly and simultaneously rotated as the tape is fed and applied to the box during the comer sealing operation. The used portion of the tape is severed from the remainder of the roll after it has been applied to the box.

As the roller is restored to its normal position after a corner sealing operation, the tape is held against back-pull, which might tend to unthread it from between the applying roller and the support ng finger. by the roller 'II which is equipped with a pawl and ratchet mechanism 80, serving to prevent reverse rotation of the roller.

The essential difference between this modification and that previously described is that the roller 1! is rotatably mounted on a fixed pin and consequently does not pull any extra tape off the roll as the parts are restored to their normal positions. Despite this, however, there is no unthreading of the tape from between the roller I2 and the finger I3. lit-will be noted that when the pn 19 on the roller l2 banks against a stop ill the arm 15, on which the roller is mounted, simultaneously banks against a limiting stop 82. Further movement of the roller I2 is thereby prevented while continued movement of the box in t e direction of the stop I4 acts to sever'the tape that has been applied to the box at the position where it was perforated by the kn fe II. In the arrested position of the roller I2, the knife II has rotated somewhat further than in the modification prev'ovsly descrbed, and the amount of the tape t at extends around the rol er 72 up to the knife is such that even though the tape is pulled backwards with reference to the finger I3 as the roler I2 is restored to its normal position, there ne"-rtelesr m'iirr a suiiicientsection of tape extend n upwardlv bevond the finger I3 to be en-aged by a box in the next seal'ng operation.

The invention has been described by way of example only and many other m"diflcations thereoperable to sever a portion of the strip after it has been applied to the article. o

2. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising a roller arranged resiliently to pressa strip of adhesive material into-adhesive engagement with an article upon movement or the article in one direction, means including 'said' roller for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the .inaugura tion ofits movement, 'and a blade carried by said roller movable from an inoperative to an operative position to sever a portion of the strip afterit has been applied to the article.

' 3.Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising an article supporting platform, a rocker arm, a roller mounted thereon for rotation about its own axis and movable from a normal position to apply a strip oi adhesive material to an article apparatus compris I sever the portion'oi the strip thathasbeen'applied to the article. X 6. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising an article supporting platform, .a rocker arm.

a roller-mounted thereon for rotation aboutits own aids and movable i'rom a'normal position to apply a strip of adhesive material toan article upon movementjof the latter in one direction along the platform and returnable into normal position after the'strip has been applied, spring means acting on, the rocker arm for causing the roller to press the strip of adhesive material into engagementwith the article, -means including;

said roller for holding the leading end or the strip in position to be engaged by the article 'upon'the inauguration of its movement, means for locating the roller ina normal position relative to its supporting rocker arm, and a blade carried by saidroller movable from an inoperative to an operative position after a predetermined rotational movement of the roller'i'or severa roller mounted thereon for rotation about its upon movement of the letter in one direction along the platform and returnable into normal position after the strip has been applied, spring means acting on the rocker arm for causing the roller to press the strip oi adhesive .material into engagement with the article, means including said roller for holding the leading end *of the'strip in position to be engaged by the articleupon the inauguration of its movement, andmeans for severing the portion of the strlp'that' has beenapplied to the article.

4. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising an article supporting platform, a rocker arm,:

a roller, mounted thereon for rotation about its own axis and movable from a normal position to 'apply a strip of adhesive material to an article upon movement of thelatter in one direction along the platform and returnable into normal position after the strip has been applied, spring means acting on the rocker arm for causing the roller to press the strip of adhesive material into 1' engagement with the article, means including said roller for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the inauguration of its movement, and a blade carried by said roller, said blade being movable from an inoperative to an operative position to sever the portion of the strip that has been applied to the article.

5. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising an article supportin platform, a rocker arm,

a roller mounted thereon for rotation about its own axis and movable from a normal position to Qposition after the strip has been applied, spring :apply a strip of adhesive material-to an article upon movement of the latter in one direction along the platform and returnable into normal position after the strip has been applied, spring means acting on the rocker arm for causing the roller to press the strip of adhesivematerial into engagement with the article, means including said roller for holding the leading end 01' the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the inauguration of its movement, means for locating the roller in a normal position relative to its supporting rocker arm, and means operating after a predetermined rotational movement 0! the roller from its normal position to ing the portion of the strip that has been applied tothe article.

'1 Adhesive strip applying apparatuscomprising an article supporting platform, a rocker arm,

own axis and movable from a normal position to apply a strip of adhesive material to an article uponmovement or the latter in one direction along ftheplatiorm and returnable into-normal position after the strip has been applied, spring.

meansacting onthe rocker arm for causing the roller to press the strip of adhesive material into engagement with the article, means including a said roller for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the inauguration of its movement, means for locating the roller in a normal position relative to its supporting rocker arm, a blade carried bysaid I roller movable from an inoperative to an operative position after a predetermined rotational movement of ,the roller for severingthe portion oi'the strip that has been appliedto the article, and means for restoring the roller to its normal position relative to its supporting rocker arm.

8. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising an article'supporti'ng platform, a rocker arm. a roller mounted thereon for rotation about its own axis and movable from a normal-position to apply a strip of adhesive-material to an article upon movement of the latter in one direction along the platform and returnable into normal means acting on the rocker arm for causingthe ,rollerto press the strip of adhesive material into engagement with the article, means including said roller for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the inauguration of its movement, means for locating the roller in a normal position relative to its supporting rocker arm, a blade carried by said roller, means operable after a predeter- '-mined rotational movement of the roller from a normal position to move the blade from an inoperative to an operative position to sever the portion of the strip that has been applied to device for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the inauguration of its movement, means for severing the portion of the strip applied to the article, and means for preventing the withdrawal of the strip from its article engaging position as the applying device is restored to its normal position ready for the next strip applyingoperation.

tion of its movement, means for severing the portion of the strip that is applied to the article, means comprising aroller having adhesive contact with the strip and arranged to idle as the strip'is applied to the article, and means for locking the roller to prevent withdrawal of the strip from its article engagin position as the applying means returns to normal position.

11. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising a device movable from a normal position to apply a strip of adhesive material to an article upon movement of the latter in one direction and returnable to normal position after the strip has been applied, means including the applying device for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article upon the inauguration of its movement, means for severing the portion of the strip that is applied to the article, means comprising a roller'having adhesive contact with the strip and arranged to 1'0- tate idly in one direction as the strip is applied to the article, means actuated by the movement 01' the strip applying device for displacing the roller in a direction opposite to the advance movement of the strip, and means for locking the roller against rotation in the reverse direction to prevent withdrawal of the tape from its article engaging position as the applying device returns to normal position.

12. Adhesive strip applying apparatus comprising a presser device movable from one position to a second position to apply an adhesive strip of material to an article and returnable to its initial position after the strip has been applied, means for holding the leading end of the strip in position to be engaged by the article in the initial position of the presser device and means carried by the presser device and operablewhen the presser device is in the second mentioned position to sever that portion of the strip that has been applied to the article.

' LOUIS H. MORIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the flle of this patent:

J UNITED STATES PATENTS Salflsberg July 16, 1946 

